The 2024 NBA Draft has come and gone. Now, it’s time to see what kind of wild ride free agency takes us on. We know that it will, because it did last year. Though, before we get into the NBA Free Agency news, lets talk about who the Winners/Losers of the 2024 NBA Draft are.
Winner No. 1: Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves wound up with five picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. Two of them came on Day One and they clearly aced that by selecting Rob Dillingham (eighth) and Terrence Shannon Jr. (27th). Both players will need to improve on defense, but the Timberwolves’ roster is full of defensive stalwarts so it’ll be easy to hide those weaknesses in spurts. They both should be able to provide an immediate need with scoring help in the second unit.
Dillingham has an elite offensive package with a quick first step. Shannon is a three-level scorer. Both are perfect fits with Minnesota.
Loser No. 1: Atlanta Hawks
The 2024 NBA Draft lacked franchise-altering players. Scouts and Analysts have called it the worst draft in recent history. There just wasn’t a lot of great options. Still, the Hawks selected French forward Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick which felt like a reach. He’s a 6-foot-9 forward who isn’t a great shooter or defender.
The Hawks may not have had much of a choice. Alex Sarr refused to work out for Atlanta. Though if I was the GM, I still would have selected the 7-footer.
Winner No. 2: Portland Trail Blazers
Prior to the start of the Draft, there was a reported trade that would send Deni Avdija to the Trail Blazers. Yes, they gave up one of their picks in the first round. However, if Avdija were in this draft… he probably would have been Top-15. So it evens out.
The Blazers then saw Donovan Clingan fall to the seventh overall pick. They selected him and he’s a perfect fit. The Blazers have struggled on defense for years, Clingan may be able to help with that. He’s a defensive anchor. Offensively, he may not be the best in the mid-range or beyond the three-point line. He’s also just 20 years old and has time to grow.
He reminds scouts and analysts of Rudy Gobert with a much better offensive game.
Loser No. 2: Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks needed a trade or selection to immediately bolster their bench. They failed to do so when they selected AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith. Don’t get me wrong, these two players have great upside but the Bucks are in a win-now mode with two future hall of famers: Giannis Antetokounmp and Damian Lillard.
The players that the Bucks selected don’t really help them with that. Milwaukee had a chance to add more impact but they chose players who will need to develop.
Winner No. 3: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers had a reasonably good draft class. Not just because of Bronny James, but Dalton Knecht was a steal. The Lakers will be keeping LeBron. This is a rare scenario where it’ll be a win-win for everyone.
Nobody really expected Knecht to fall this far in the draft. When he did it was a big surprise. He addresses a need that the Lakers have been needing to fill for awhile.
Loser No. 3: Charlotte Hornets
This one seems to be kind of a occurring theme. The Hornets reached for Tidjane Salaun, who probably wouldn’t have been selected in the Top 10. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged less than 10 points per contest. They also selected KJ Simpson.
Neither of these players further develop the Hornets into a window to win. It just prolongs the rebuild.
TL//DR: Winners/Losers of the 2024 NBA Draft.
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